Rinderpest is the most dreaded bovine plague -- a highly
infectious viral disease that can destroy entire populations of
cattle and buffalo.

In regions that depend on cattle for meat, milk products and draft
power, rinderpest has caused widespread famine and has inflicted
serious economic and political damage. An epidemic in the 1890s wiped
out 80-90 percent of all cattle in sub-Saharan Africa. More recently,
another rinderpest outbreak that raged across much of Africa in
1982-84 is estimated to have cost at least $500 million.

Rinderpest is mainly spread by direct contact and by drinking
water that has been infected by the dung of sick animals. It can also
be transmitted in the breath and can infect wild animals and pigs as
well as cattle.

Clinical signs include: a high fever; red patches with discharge
from around the eyes, nose and mouth; frothy saliva from the mouth;
constipation followed by diarrhoea. After a few days, the infected
animal dies.

Rinderpest can be prevented with vaccination but spreads easily
among non-vaccinated herds through livestock trade and pastoral
migrations.